concluded that the mason had made a mistake, and he did not
further question the girl who was now kneeling beside the stone
and softly praying. He wandered about from stone to stone and
found that without exception they were dated centuries back,
even as far back as the year 900. This seemed particularly
strange to him from the fact that the cemetery was still in use as
was evident from the fact that a body had just been interred in it.
From the low church-yard wall he had an excellent opportunity
of making a sketch of the old town. He noted with no little
surprise that the fog disappeared just beyond the town and the
sun was shining brightly on the mountain slope.
The old, cracked bell again began to ring and Gertrude quickly
arose, brushed the tears from her eyes, and nodded pleasantly at
Arnold who sprang to her side.
“ We can no longer be sad,” she said smiling, ‘‘services are
over and the dance will now begin. You will soon see that the
inhabitants of Germelshausen are not as dismal as you had
thought.”
“ But there is the church-door and I saw no one coming out.”
‘‘That is perfectly natural,” she laughed, ‘‘not even the
priest. The old sexton goes in and rings the bell at the begin
ning and end of the services. ’ ’
‘ ‘ And do none of you go into the church ? ’ ’
“ No, neither to mass nor to confession,” she answered quietly,
“ we are at variance with the Pope and he will not permit it until
we obey him.”
“ But I never heard one word of it.”
“ Yes, it has been thus for a long time,” said she indifferently.
“ Look, the sexton is coming out of the church alone and is lock
ing the door; he will not be present at the dance.”
‘ ‘ And will the priest be there ? ’ ’
“ Of course he will; he will be the liveliest person of all.”
‘ ‘ And how did it all come about ? ’ ’ inquired Arnold.
“ It is a long story and the priest has written it all in a large
book. Sit down and I will tell you all about it, but do not speak
of it in my father’s presence. But look—here come the boys and
girls for the dance. I must hurry home and dress myself. ’ ’
‘ ‘ And the first dance, Gertrude ? ’ ’
" I have already promised you that.”
They quickly retraced their steps through the village which